Becoming a CNA in Missouri

What is Involved in Completing CNA Training in Missouri?

CNA training in Missouri must be approved by the Missouri Department of Health and Human Services. After you’ve completed your training, you must pass a state nurse aide certification exam.

Enrollment and Completion of CNA Classes in Missouri

Step 1:

Find an approved program in your state:
Finding a CNA Training Program

You will need to choose your nurse aide training courses carefully to ensure that they are accredit and approved by the health department. CNA training programs in Missouri must consist of at least 175 hours.

Step 2:

Make sure you’re eligible to enroll in a CNA training program.

Before enrolling in your CNA classes, you must pass a criminal background check and undergo a complete health screening. Also, if you are not at least 18 years old, you will need to be a valid student enrolled in a course for an occupational  health career program in your local high school.

Step 3:

Complete your CNA training program.

Classes are regulated to be no less than 175 hours of study. Seventy-five of these hours will be held in a classroom setting, and you will learn medical terminology, CPR basics, the psychology of dealing with elderly patients facing death, how to document and measure vital signs, and much more.

The remaining 100 hours of your training will be spent in a medical setting. This is where you will learn to take the skills you have learned in the classroom and apply them in real life situations. This portion is essential, as you will practice the daily grooming, care, and other physical tasks that are expected of nurse aides.

CNA Testing Procedures and Applying for CNA Certification in Missouri

Step 1:

Register to take the Missouri CNA certification exam.

When you register to take the exam, you will be required to bring along two forms of photo identification, and you may also be asked to bring along fingerprint ID cards, your graduation certificate, and a copy of your background check or health screening. Often, copies of several of these documents you may have already submitted with your preregistration packet and fees for the test.

Step 2:

Find a testing site.

Many of the CNA training facilities in Missouri are approved as testing sites, but you may need to test at an alternate location. You can check out approved test sites at the Missouri Nurse Aide Registry site, which is listed below for your convenience.

You should also take a practice test before you take the official Missouri CNA certification exam.

Step 3:

Take the Missouri CNA certification exam.

Show up for the exam at least a half hour before your scheduled time, as you will need to check in and allow time for yourself to get mentally prepared to master the challenges of the exam.

The state of Missouri nurse aide exam is a two part test that is designed to test both learned theory and clinical skills. First, you will be assigned five or six random duties that you learned in your hands-on training experiences. You must pass this section in order to take the second part of the test.

The second part of the test consists of sixty multiple-choice questions that will ask about theoretical situations, as well as cover numerous aspects of your classroom and practical training. If you pass, you will have fulfilled all requirements dictated by the state, and you will be put on the Missouri State Nurse Aide Registry.

Step 4:

After you pass the certification exam, you are ready to create your CNA resume, and start looking for employment.

The Missouri nurse aide enjoys an average starting CNA  salary of $20,820, and wages will rise along with experience and additional training.

Feel free to get in touch with the Nurse Aide Registry of Missouri with any additional questions or concerns at:

Missouri Nurse Aide Registry
Missouri Department of Health and Senior Service – Division of Health
Health Education Unit
P.O. Box 570
Jefferson City, MO 65102
Phone: (573) 526-8528 or (573) 522-6203
License Verification: (573) 526-5686
Fax: (573) 526-7656